Morning journal and courier., 1887-12-26
CHRISTMAS 1887.

Services at the United Church-ssJoy
 50 the World, the Lord is COme."
 Christmas services commenced yesterday morning at the United church by the con-
 gregation heartily singing this grand old hymn above specified. It was appropriate, simple and reverent, as the occasion re- quired, for never since the world began has
 the birth of any individual so touched the
 great heart of humanity and diffused SO
 much innocent pleasure as the birth of
 Christ.
 Glory to God in the highest and on earth
 peace and good will toward men. This angelic
 chorus was selected by Dr.. Munger as the
 basis of his eloquent discourse, a few thoughts from which are as follows:
 Christian faith covers our whole existence,
 both in this world and t1e world to come. There is no end to the scope of our faith; it is not temporary or transient thing, but
 au eternal truism. We may forget to love, but we cannot get away from our path which teaches us to love, which teaching is the very essence. In youth, mid dle life old age our faith never forsakes us and even takes away the sting of death, ,guid- ing us through the dark valley, Our religion is not an adjunct; it iss the soul. of Gfe Neither is it 8 religion among religions, as some tell us; it is the combination of all truth, as necessary as the atmosphere we breathe. To-day as Christmas two streams of thought occupy our minds-one of joy, the of Christ, sadness that time is bearing us away. The perversion of the day in past ages or the ignoring of it by the Puritan fathers has diminished some of it's lustre; to- day this angelic chorus will resound through cathedral arches and humble cottages alike. What is the eause9 Christ's ife sets our human hope into operation. By the necessity of our nature we look forward. Our char acter is modelled by our hopes. F'We are saved by hope" Hope lies at the foundation of our character. Christian faith brings our hope into exercise. It was this hope, ,dimmed and beclouded though it was, which distin- guished the Jews above other nations of an- tiquity. It is the absence of this hope which gives heathen poetry it's shade of desponden- cy, ,as it's presence brightens and illumines the present age. Strange, is it not, that life of thirty three years passed under such oppos- ing forces should accomplish such work! It was because Christ taught the regeneration forgiveness of sins, connecting by com munion God and man. Man saw and felt that truth, justice and liberty were no idle words, and that through this great teacher they would eventually prevail. f'Thy, kingdom come" This faith is great Ln1ng to DelI6Ve. 4L uSS SPEea0 A0OIS HI Inc
 last century than in all the centuries preced- ing. Will society retrograde and go back
 waEdf Of one thing we may be aure-this Kingdom shall never grow dim; it shall be
 growing brighter with the ages. The growth of freedom and humanity as contrasted
 with past ages is inexplicable with-
 out the birth and life of Christ,
 and let us to-day be thankful that above the
 discordance and dissatisfaction there sounds
 this great keynote of joy, "The Birth of
 Christ" We learn from the character of
 Christ that our average American or English
 character is not very high, and yet it is no
 less true that believing in Christ we learn to
 become like him-to derive our greatest hap
 piness from the welfare of others, bringing
 us as it does into personal relations with
 him; holding us by his gentle yoke and in
 spring example,so that the joy of happy
 childhood may go with us through life.
 Calamities that happen to us are trials;
 those that happen to others are judgments
 Show good judgment and avoid ealamities by. giving Warner'st Log Cabin Sarsapari1Ia a. trial It purifes the blood, regulates the regulator, and insures good health: Largest